According to unofficial returns, 61.1 percent of Montgomery voters supported the proposal.
The new millage increase will raise an additional $33 million annually. MPS has said the new funding would help MPS, among other goals:
- Rehabilitate school facilities;
- Provide more professional development for educators;
- Increase resources for students and teachers;
- Add pre-k, AP, art, and music classes;
- Strengthen STEM programs; and,
- Hire more social and emotional, and trauma-informed staff.
Below are comments from members of the Vote for Montgomery Public Schools Campaign on the outcome of tonight’s school funding referendum.
Elton N. Dean, Sr., Chairman, Montgomery County Commission
“I am very happy! This is a wonderful thing for our students, teachers, and the entire county as a whole. This vote for MPS shows our young people that the Montgomery community believes in them, supports them, and is eager to see them thrive. We are without a doubt committed to Montgomery Public Schools. The Montgomery County Commission decided we were going to put forth the effort to get the much needed mils for our schools and we brought the team together to make that happen. I applaud all the Commissioners for putting aside their political party and raising their hand to place this on the ballot. The Commission’s unanimous vote showed this was a nonpartisan effort and had support from all walks of life. It was a great effort by all elected officials along with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and the business community. We are going to celebrate and then we are going to get to work to continue to move our schools forward.”
Steven L. Reed, Mayor, City of Montgomery
“Amendment 382 wasn’t just a referendum on our schools; it was a referendum on our future. We rallied an overwhelming amount of support through a broad and diverse coalition of faith leaders, activists, educators, advocates, retired military and parents who wanted to change Montgomery’s trajectory. What our vote says is this community believes in itself because this community is willing to invest in our potential and our possibilities.”
Dr. Ann Roy Moore, Superintendent, Montgomery Public Schools:
“We are overjoyed that Montgomery voters believe in what we are doing and want to see more of our children succeed. A lot has changed for MPS over the last few years. Our commitment to giving our 28,000 students and 4,000 employees the resources and academic opportunities to thrive remains a top priority. We look forward to moving forward together.”
Clare Weil, President, Montgomery County Board of Education:
“Today is a great day for our schools and for Montgomery. Over the course of this campaign, our system has strengthened relationships with numerous businesses, houses or worship, community organizations, and others that will only help MPS move forward. Our schools are strongest when we all work together, and I look forward to building on these relationships to help our students succeed in the days and years to come.”
Arthur Ducote, Chairman of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce:
“Today, Montgomery voted to invest in our future and our work doesn’t end here. Access to high quality education is essential to our economic future and we are anxious to continue the collaborative partnerships that have formed across the community to create the most prosperous future for Montgomery.”
Longleaf Strategies advises on communications strategy, leads media outreach, and develops messaging for the Vote FOR Montgomery Public Schools campaign.
*Photo courtesy of the Montgomery Advertiser.